Cheap/free top bar hive

i use latex exterior paint.

 

Great that you recycled the wood.
Most folks use exterior latex, as Rat mentioned. You can also use a wood stain, or simple water-based polyurethane. Just be sure you let it dry and air out for a few days before putting any bees in it. And DON"T paint the inside where the bees will be- just paint the outside that is exposed to rain and weather.

 

Oops paint. Cheaper per gallon than plain white.

 

Or, instead of Oops paint, go down to your local household hazardous waste center, they always have a few gallons of leftover paint people have dropped off to be disposed of... free is even better than cheap, right?

 

If you have one nearby that's a great idea. I don't have a hazordous waste site near here

 

in your location it won't matter. Dark colors absorb more heat from sunlight. I have pretty fuschia, light blue, dark green, and tan hives right now.

 

I read somewhere that "red" is not a good idea, but now I can't recall why or where I read it.

 

Bees cannot see Red. They see it as black. The only thing I think might be bad about using it would be the heat factor. Red, or any dark color, will be hotter.